Complaint Review: California Department of Real Estate - Sacramento California

About 2 years ago, back in 2022, I worked with a Real Estate Agency in Alturas, California to buy a home they had listed.  Both us Buyers and the Seller, signed a Legal Contract to Purchase the Home for an agreed upon Price. The agent, who at first seemed okay, ended up Failing to Represent Our Interests.  Also colluded with the seller in a lie saying that the seller, suddenly, did not want to sell her home for PERSONAL REASONS.   I was very angry because my husband and I needed to move since a home we had was under contract.

This reason, given by the real estate agent, was a lie because the home was never taken off the market.  Remained on the market, then 2 weeks later someone else bought the home for $10,000 more than the $355,000 we were under contract to pay.

I even sent 2 e-mails to the Broker, but she failed to respond.  No help from her!!!

I tried calling several lawyers, but they generally do not want to take cases against Real Estate Companies because they get business from them.  Also, it is expensive and time consuming AND we did not have the time. Being unable to find a lawyer - and believe me, trying to find a decent lawyer out there, is NOT easy, - I filed a major complaint with the California Dept of Real Estate.

My case was assigned to one investigator, who, after speaking with him a few times, I discovered that he was biased against us - for being out of state.  I complained to a supervisor, who assigned us to another investigator.

At first, the new investigator seemed to be investing my complaint okay.  I was eventually told, back in April, 2023, that YES, THEY DID FIND VIOLATIONS OF STATE LAW AND THAT THE AGENT FAILED TO REPRESENT US.

That investigator told me that my complaint was being sent to their Legal Dept. for review and possible sanctions against the real estate agency.  I was given a number and name of an attorney in their legal dept.

Well, here is where things get alot worse for us.

Since April, 2023, I tried calling at least 5 times, giving my name, phone number and case number.

NO ONE FROM THEIR LEGAL DEPT EVER CALLED ME TO THIS VERY DAY OF FEBRUARY 29, 2024.

I tried 2 times to call back the Investigator of the California Dept of Real Estate, and both times, I left  messages but he never called back.

I did 1 time after that, call the California Dept of Real Estate and spoke to an INTAKE person.  I told her the story and gave her the case number.  She said,  WE ARE STILL INVESTIGATING YOUR CASE AND WILL SEND YOU A LETTER.

That was about 6 months ago, AND I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER, E-MAIL NOR PHONE CALL SINCE.

This leads me to believe that the California Dept of Real Estate just GOES THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF PRETENDING TO INVESTIGATE YOUR COMPLAINT.  THEN, IN THE END, THEY DO NOTHING AND STOP COMMUNICATING WITH YOU.

IN MY OPINION, THIS IS JUST PART OF THE PROBLEM.  FIRST WE GOT RIPPED OFF AND UNFAIRLY LOST A NICE HOME THAT WE WANTED.  THEN THE CALIFORNIA DEPT OF REAL ESTATE, DOES NOTHING.

In my years of experience, from the past, Government Agencies, - even those that are created to help the citizen - often FAIL TO DO SO.

They are there just to lull the citizen into a FALSE SENSE OF BELIEF that the State Government actually cares about their complaint and will do something to provide justice, but the REALITY PROVES OTHERWISE.'

Taking 2 years and in the end, doing nothing means to me that they just want to you FORGET ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE AND GO AWAY.

A PIECE OF ADVISE FOR THOSE READING THIS OUT THERE, - DO NOT TRUST STATE GOVERNEMENT AGENCIES TO BE ON YOUR SIDE.  You will only be more frustrated and disappointed.

So, friends, it looks like the Real Estate Agency got away with this.  All because the California Dept of Real Estate does NOT protect the citizen.

That is all folks,

NO FAIRNESS IN CALIFORNIA - and I am sure, even worse in other states.